2021 Grouse Harvest

[HunterofWA]

Anybody have suggestions on where to find them/tips for this time of year?  Taking my older son out and want to have some fun. I’m in western wa, Capitol forest/Elbe hills preferably but I’m in that general area. Thanks guys happy hunting. Nice to see the pics, only been lucky enough to see a couple fly off thus far

I bumped into a few while deer hunting the general season. Been seeing them in the mornings (even as late as 9:30am) by small creeks that run through riparian areas. Find a spot like this that has a gravel road that runs through it and you'll see them out picking up grit.

[drewbogey]

Anybody have suggestions on where to find them/tips for this time of year?  Taking my older son out and want to have some fun. I’m in western wa, Capitol forest/Elbe hills preferably but I’m in that general area. Thanks guys happy hunting. Nice to see the pics, only been lucky enough to see a couple fly off thus far

I bumped into a few while deer hunting the general season. Been seeing them in the mornings (even as late as 9:30am) by small creeks that run through riparian areas. Find a spot like this that has a gravel road that runs through it and you'll see them out picking up grit.

Thank you!  I’ll keep at it and heed your advice. Everyone I know says the only find them when they’re not looking for them lol

[Phil Fravel]

Figure I should jump in here and post something

Long time Pheasant hunter.  This is my first year looking for Grouce.  I’ve been reading and watching everything I can and feel I have a decent idea of what I’m looking for.  It seems hard to keep elevation below 2O00 feet.


When talking with loggers and deer hunters. I’m hearing numbers of Grouse are down this year.  I have also read they are on a 10 year cycle.

I’ve got roughly 15 hours on foot walking trails in Eastern Pierce county.  I’m find it quite enjoyable and love not doing the long drives to Eastern WA.  That said  I have yet to see a bird.   Is this the norm this year or me just learning the ropes.  Or perhaps it has more to do with me looking in Eastern Pierce county.  Or am I getting started late in the season?

I realize this is a lot like mushroom foraging and fishing I’m not asking for locations.  Just curious how others are doing in S King / Pierce County

Any help/advice would be appreciated

[Humptulips]

I'm not in Pierce so for what it is worth I am not seeing many blues which is what I generally see up high. ow elevation I am seeing an average number of ruffed. I am a trapper so I am out all winter and I always see more grouse after deer and elk seasons are done. Less traffic? Also, it seems like the grouse sit still longer in nasty weather.

[hunter399]

Always see a ton of them ......
When all I have is a deer rifle.

[Phil Fravel]

I'm not in Pierce so for what it is worth I am not seeing many blues which is what I generally see up high. ow elevation I am seeing an average number of ruffed. I am a trapper so I am out all winter and I always see more grouse after deer and elk seasons are done. Less traffic? Also, it seems like the grouse sit still longer in nasty weather.

Thanks Bruce.   Trapping sounds like an interesting line of work. 😊

[Phil Fravel]

Always see a ton of them ......
When all I have is a deer rifle.

Lol. Ok. I get it.  Next time I’ll bring the 30 30.  Seeing them with the wrong gun would  at least be an improvement over what I’m doing.  By chance were you referring to S King Pierce County?

[Humptulips]

Always see a ton of them ......
When all I have is a deer rifle.

When I was a kid and was packing the old 30 30 I would shoot their heads off. Almost never missed and with open sights. Wish my eyes were still that good. Doubt if I could do that again.

[Phil Fravel]

Always see a ton of them ......
When all I have is a deer rifle.

When I was a kid and was packing the old 30 30 I would shoot their heads off. Almost never missed and with open sights. Wish my eyes were still that good. Doubt if I could do that again.

This getting older thing realy sucks!!

[Remnar]

Always see a ton of them ......
When all I have is a deer rifle.

When I was a kid and was packing the old 30 30 I would shoot their heads off. Almost never missed and with open sights. Wish my eyes were still that good. Doubt if I could do that again.

Even if you could with the price of 30-30 ammo you could buy a 20# turkey for two or three rounds worth . lol..

[Phil Fravel]

Just an update.  I would like to give a big thanks to the few people who have reached out to help my start.  I would like to say I’ve had some success. I have. I’ve added 8 more hours and 2 more trips to different areas.  I have found lower forest service roads. And on top of that I have found other Grouse hunters.   So I must be getting close.  Though all of the hunters I have talked to so far also seem to be a bit perplexed as to where’s the birds.   It sounds like earlier in the season birds were easier to find.  And either with the cold or the rain the food sources have changed. It’s either that or the other hunters are also hunting heavily pressured or just a lack of birds.  So be it.  I’m enjoying the now and am looking forward to getting out again. Let the adventure continue.

[Skyvalhunter]

This time of the year the birds change their habits of being near roads as much as they do earlier in the year. They are typically more flighty.

[millerwheeler]

31  ruffed
3 blue
2 west side pheasant
 Been decent year for them still have till Jan 15 on the grouse


All out while scouting , hunting , driving  the 410 been putting In the work and I have missed a bunch also

[mcrawfordaf]

I was doing really good on being able to locate Ruffed up here in the NE region. Since deer season ended I've been back out and no luck. What's their winter activity like?

[hunter399]

I was doing really good on being able to locate Ruffed up here in the NE region. Since deer season ended I've been back out and no luck. What's their winter activity like?

More often herd up in little group of 5-10 birds.
Sometimes in the winter they roost a lot,in brush and such.
But on a sunny day like today you could catch them running about.